Foundation work has begun on the new 14-unit senior housing development at First Avenue and Mission Street. 

Sundance Construction of Kenai, which also built the Dusty Trails apartment complex, is putting up the three-building complex kitty-corner to the Haines Senior Center.

The buildings will be arranged in a horseshoe shape and connected by covered walkways. The buildings also will house an office and laundry facility.

The apartments will have separate entrances and may be available for occupancy as early as this fall. Construction is expected to be completed by the end of summer.

The project has been under planning for three years by Haines Senior Citizens Inc., a group of concerned seniors whose goal is to make it easier for seniors to stay in town as they get older.

Assistance for seniors won’t be provided at the facility, but will be available through existing social service agencies. The design of development was determined at meetings with seniors and the project architect.

The $1 million project is being financed through the Alaska Housing Finance Corp., which provided a loan guarantee and two grants.